: Not confirmed as a breeder but adults including two birds together are seen throughout the year, and nesting in remote spots seems likely. birds may leave Dec-Mar in years with heavy snow.
Migration: to mid Sep-mid Nov with a peak late Sep-early Oct and from late Aug-late Nov. The Cadillac Mountain Hawkwatch is good place to look. Spring movements occurs late Mar-mid May but numbers are small and confusion with residents inevitable. Red-tails require westerly winds to be drifted off the mainland to the coast, MDI, and (rarely) the outer island.
Miscellany: Red-tails were more in the aftermath of the 1947 fire when the large open areas they prefer were more plentiful. These lands now support extensive forests and are no longer attractive to Red-tails.
Last Reviewed: July 24th, 2026